Strategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fireground [Hardcover]

Jim Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 17, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0130614513 | ISBN-13: 978-0130614513

Fireground provides a real-life approach developed from hands-on experience not third party description. The author uses his over 35 years of experience in handling major incidents, coupled with many years of teaching, to explain situations and problems that can confront an emergency responder. It is useful as a handbook at any type of incident or as a reference book, as each chapter can stand alone. This book provides current data, including rapid intervention teams, terrorism, cue-based decision-making and infrared technology. An invaluable aid to an incident commander to utilize when confronted with a major fire; also can be used by all ranks, including Firefighters, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Captain, Battalion, District, Division, Deputy, Assistant or Chiefs of Departments.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The author's 35 years of experience contributes to the real-life approach of this text, blending theory with personal experience. Stategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fireground uses a systems approach to guide you through the process of problem identification and solution response. From pre-incident planning to incident scene control, this text provides the tools for response in numerous situations including among others, building collapse, high rise fires, strip malls, and large commercial buildings.

Features Include:

• The command sequence method for problem identification and strategy tactics.
• Cue-Based Decision-Making, taught by the National Fire Academy, to describe incident scene problem solving.
• Discussion of building construction — the basic types and their strength, weaknesses, fire resistance and collapse potential.

About the Author

James P. Smith was appointed to the Philadelphia Fire Department on June 29, 1966. He was promoted to lieutenant on December 18, 1972; to captain on December 30, 1974; to battalion chief on August 3,1981; and to deputy chief on June 27,1987. Deputy chief is the highest civil service position. Chief Smith reports to the deputy commissioner.

He has worked on both engine and ladder companies and in every section of the city. He has served as director of the Philadelphia Fire Academy. In this role, he was the departmental safety officer and responded on multiple alarm fires performing the safety officer's function.

Additional areas of responsibility included the research and planning unit. Under his direction, a major accomplishment teas a change from three-quarter length boots to the bunker gear concept. This involved a retrofitting process whereby three-quarter length boots and long coats were cut down, and bunker pants were purchased. This proved highly successful and saved the department over $1 million. This gear concept became a prototype used by many departments. A new position of departmental grant officer was created and proved highly successful. This individual was able to secure funding for many programs that the budget was unable to accommodate.

Chief Smith has been associated with the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, since 1982. He is a graduate of the prestigious Executive Fire Officer's Program and is an adjunct instructor. He has developed and taught many programs.

He has lectured throughout the United States on incident management, safety, church fires, building construction, building collapse, strategy and tactics, tank farm fires, and high-rise firefighting.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall (December 17, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130614513
• ISBN-13: 978-0130614513
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,035,829 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Author is an experienced instructor, January 30, 2008

By 

C. Aumack (Piscataway, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fireground (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

OK, to counter the stellar previous review, I will offer additional information. I will make it clear that I DO NOT OWN THIS BOOK yet. However, I can speak to the author's experience and instructional skill. I spent two weeks with Deputy Chief Smith at a National Fire Academy Command & Control of Incident Operations course in October of 2001. He was an excellent instructor and was very knowledgable. He was able to take his decades of experience and present it in the classroom in an easy to understand manner and presented pertinent examples of the lessons. I will come back and edit this review after I read the text, but I will say this: If Chief Smith's skill in the classroom translates into skill as an author, you should buy this text. I'm sure this book will be required reading for promotional exams, if it isn't already.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Getting to Know the Basics, October 25, 2011

By 

A VFF (VA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Strategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fireground (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

This book (2nd Edition) was used in a firefighting strategy and tactics course I was in. The overall material is similar to a basic firefighter's textbook, covering the Incident Command System (ICS), building construction, common structural fires (house, townhouse) and company/technical operations.

It does delve into greater detail for scene size ups as well as increasing the types of structure fires one can respond to (hospitals, penal institutions, lumberyards) and the considerations for each. Aside from the usual size up factors, such as construction type, exposures and occupancy, it adds strategic goals and ICS considerations/solutions (such as what officers and groups/branches should be added, if needed) for an offensive or defensive attack. There's a lot of useful information and it'll take several readings to get everything. Be prepared to have a highlighter handy.

The appendix includes in-depth response scenarios, an ICS chart, and examples of a quick action preplan and a vital building information sheet. It broadened my perspective, especially with scene size ups (where every bit of information can help).

I'd certainly recommend it for up and coming officers, as well as firefighters who'd like to expand their knowledge on fireground operations.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good textbook, July 1, 2011

By 

Martha - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fireground (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

I bought this for a class and I enjoyed it. Very easy to read and understand. It gives a lot of good information for anyone going into structural firefighting.